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Iron interventions in children from low-income and middle-income populations: benefits and risks

Jeannine Baumgartner1, Tanja Barth-Jaeggi

  • 1aCentre of Excellence for Nutrition, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa bLaboratory of Human Nutrition, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.

Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care
|March 26, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Iron supplementation can reduce iron deficiency anemia in children but may increase illness in high-infection areas. More research is needed on iron

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Global Health
  • Iron Metabolism

Background:

  • Children in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are highly susceptible to iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia (IDA).
  • Iron interventions are used to prevent and treat IDA, but their efficacy and safety are debated, especially in areas with high infectious disease prevalence.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent trials on the benefits and risks of iron interventions in children from LMICs.
  • To assess the impact of iron interventions on functional outcomes beyond IDA.
  • To explore potential mechanisms behind adverse effects of iron supplementation.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of recent clinical trials.
  • Analysis of studies investigating iron supplementation strategies.
  • Evaluation of data on child growth, cognition, morbidity, and gut health.

Main Results:

  • Intermittent iron supplementation shows promise in reducing IDA.
  • Effects of iron interventions on growth and cognition are mixed.
  • Increased morbidity, unfavorable gut microbial shifts, and intestinal inflammation are reported with iron intervention, particularly in children with high infectious disease burdens.

Conclusions:

  • Further research is required to demonstrate benefits of iron interventions on functional outcomes in children from LMICs.
  • Investigating the mechanisms underlying negative effects of iron supplementation is crucial.
  • Evidence is needed to guide safe and effective iron intervention strategies in vulnerable populations.
Abstract

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